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67th Congress,) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ( Report 

1st Session. \ 1 No. 98. 



REERECTION OF STATUE OF LINCOLN. 



May 25, 1921. — Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the 
Union and ordered to be printed. 



Mr. Gould, from the Committee on the Library, submitted the 

following 

. ^,^ ^ REPORT. 

2. I - ^ o / [To accompany H. J. Res. 127.] 

The Committee on the Library, to which was referred House joint 
resolution 127, to reerect the statue of Abraham Lincoln upon its 
original site in front of the courthouse of the District of Columbia, 
having considered the same, report thereon without amendment and 
submit the following in explanation thereof: 

President Lincoln died on April 15, 1865. A few days later, on 
motion of Mr. N. D. Larner, of the city councils of the District of 
Columbia, a joint committee was appointed to take action in reference 
to the erection of a monument in the city of Washington to the 
memory of Abraham Lincoln. This committee met at the mayor's; 
office on the 28th of April, 1865, and formed itself into an association 
to be called the Lincoln National Monument Association, to carry out 
the objects proposed by the formation of the committee. Subse- 
quently the following officers were elected for the association: Presi- 
dent, Richard Wallach, mayor; secretary, Crosby S. Noyes; treasurer^ 
George W. Riggs; directors, Joseph F. Brown, Asbury Lloyd, John B. 
Turton, Dr. W. G. H. Newman, George H. Plant, Z. Richards, N. D. 
Larner, E. C. Carrington, John P. Pepper, S. J. Bowen, George F. 
Gulick, B. B. French, George R. Ruff, Charles C. Morris, John G. 
Dudley, John H. Semmes, James Kelley, William P. Ferguson, S. P.. 
Brown, Dr. C. H. Nichols, Henry Addison, W^illiam H. Tenney. 

To these were added a number of honorary directors, mostly 
Mem.bers of Congress, one from each State, as it was hoped at that 
time to secure a national subscription to the end of raising a monu- 
ment at the National Capitol, the most suitable place, properly 
commemorative of the life and character of the lamented deceased. 
Owing, however, to the springing up of kindred associations in almost 
every State and city in the country, this hope was not realized, 
and with the exception of some contributions from Baltimore, among 
which was a handsome sum from John T. Ford, Esq., the proceeds of 



2 BEERECTION OF STATUE OE LIE^COLN. -^ x j-^ O 

a benefit for the monument fund, given at his Baltimore theater, 
little, if anything, was contributed outside of Washington. The 
money raised was, however, carefully husbanded, and was invested 
by the treasurer, IMr. Riggs, in Government registered bonds. The 
sum raised was, of course, inadequate to erect a monument on any- 
thing like the scale originally proposed, but was yet sufficient to raise 
a monument in the shape of a shaft and statue, creditable to the 
city; and it was determined by the association that tliis was the best 
course to pursue. Mr. Lot Flannery, of this city, who had achieved 
a number of successes in his art, among wliich is the admired monu- 
ment over the victims of the arsenal explosion at the Congressional 
Cemetery, was the successful competitor for the work. 

THE MONUMENT. 

The monument was about 40 feet in height to the top of the statue. 
It rested on a solid foundation of blue rock, G feet in depth. The 
base was an octagon, 6 feet in height and about 7 feet from side to 
side, on which the base of the column rests, the lower part corre- 
sponding with the base, and the upper part with the shaft, being 
circular and molded. The shaft wa« 18 feet in height, with an 
average diameter of 3 feet (tapering), and surmounted by a molded 
cap, 4 feet square and two feet thick, on which rested the base of the 
statue, and the statue itself. The figure at this height looked to be 
about life-size, and stood facing south. It represents Lincoln 
standing with his left hand resting on the emblem of Union — the 
Roman facile — his head erect, with a slight inclination forward, and 
right hand partially open, as in the attitude he was wont to take in 
addressing an audience. The design was first made in clay by j\'Ir. 
Flannery and was subsequently cast in plaster. The model attracted 
much attention as a spirited design and excellent likeness. The 
encomiums bestowed upon his design induced him to submit it to 
the managers of the Monument Association, and the result was that 
it was unanimously selected from the various designs and models 
before the committee as the best ofi'ored. A contract was entered 
into withliim by which he agreed to have the monument ready by 
the 15th of April, 1868, the anniversary of Mr. Lincoln's death. 
He devoted himself to the work, and the reproduction in marble 
was held to be greatly superior to the model. 

The statue was dedicated on the third anniversary of the death 
of Lincohi. Department business was suspended as well as that of 
the municipal offices, and the public schools were closed to afi'ord 
oppoituuity to all to witness the dedicaliou. Flags wei'o displayed 
at half-mast, and the heavy l)oom of half-hour guns reminded of the 
solemnity of the occasion. 

The procession formed at the corner of Ninth and D Streets, and 
about \.'M) o'clock the line of march was taken up, when some of the 
menil)ers of No. 2 Steam P^ngine ('ompany commenced to fire a 
salute, from a lieldpiece in front of the engine house. The right of 
the liiu^ was by the Grand Lodge of Masons, with members of the 
subordinate lodges, marshaled by A. M. Howard, and headed by the 
Marine Band. The Sons of Temperance and (iood Temj)lars followed, 
Mr. .John S. ilollingshead maishalling the former, assisted by George 
D. Kgleston, of Metiopolitan Division, W. H. Gonzalves, W. H. Har- 
rison, C. li. Frost, J. S. Erly, J. W. Roberts, of Good Samaritan, and 
W. n. Chase. The l^nnrPof ili.. M>v(.lf<ji jlni t_ed States Infantry 

I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
JUN1 fi1<i2t 



REEKECTION OF STATUE OF LINCOLN. 3 

headed the Sons, the Grand Lodge having the right of the hne, fol- 
lowed b}^ delegates of all the subordinate divisions. The beautiful 
flag of Federal City and line banner of Good Samaritan divisions 
were in line. 

The Temple of Honor followed, marshaled by J. S. Stokes. 

The Good Templars came next, the Grand Lodge being at the right 
of the line, followed by a number of the members of the subordinate 
lodges, marshaled by W. P. White, C. T. of Harmony Lodge, headed 
by Heald's Band of 17 pieces. 

The Grand Lodge of the United States of the Knij^hts of Pythias, 
which was holding a session at Odd Fellows' Hall, Navy Yard, 
formed at the hall, and with members of the subordinate lodges 
marched direct to the City Hall, reaching the grounds before the 
main procession arrived. 

AT THE CITY HALL. 

During the forenoon workmen were busily engaged in erecting a 
stand between the monument and the curbstone, 52 by IG feet, 
capable of seating about 400 persons. From the flagstaff on the 
City Hall the national colors were displayed at half-mast, and the 
corporation offices were all closed at 12 o'clock. The large derrick 
had been removed from over the monument, and everything in 
readiness for the ceremony before 1 o'clock. The crowd began to 
gather about 12 o'clock, and in less than an hour the steps and 
portico of the City Hall were densely packed. 

By 2 o'clock the entire space in front of the City Hall was crowded, 
while the housetops and windows of the houses opposite were filled 
with human beings. All the sanitary police, under Lieut. Noonan, 
were on duty. No one was allowed upon the stand except those who 
had been invited by the committee. About 400 invitations were 
issued by Mayor Wallach and the committee to Cabinet ministers, 
heads of bureaus. Army and Navy officers, members of the Diplomatic 
Corps, and other distinguished persons. Invitations were also issued 
to the Senate and House of Representatives, but owing to the 
impeaclmient trial it was impossible for them to attend. 

Among those present were President Johnson, accompanied by 
Col. Rives and Mr. Kershaw; Baron Gerolt, Mr. Rangabee, the 
Grecian Minister; Maj. Gen. Hancock and Gen. Mitchell, Gen. Emory, 
Col. Capron, commissioner of agriculture; Ambrosio Abeita, xVlezan- 
dro Padilla, governor of the Pueblos of Isleta (one of the 19 villages 
of the tribe in New Mexico); John Ward, agent; Gen. O. O, Howard, 
Mr. Cantazalli, secretary Italian Legation; Admiral Radford, Assistant- 
Attorney General Binckley, Gen. Charles Thomas and Gen. Morris S. 
Miller, Gen. Carr, of Gen. Emory's staff; Gen. S. F. Care}^, of Ohio; 
John Hitz, Esq., Dr. John B. Blake. 

Gen. Grant was present, and occupied a position on the sidewalk 
in front of Mr. Bradley's office, declining to take a seat upon the 
stand. 

THE CROWD. 

The assemblage was very large, and commenced to assemble in 
front of the city hall long before the hour for the ceremonies. At 
2 p. m. the crowd, despite the rain, had so increased as to extend 
down Four-and-a-half Street below the Presbyterian Church, down 
Louisiana Avenue, beyond Fifth Street, and an equal distance down 



4 EEERECTION OF STATUE OF LINCOLN. 

Indiana Avenue. The open space at the intersection of these streets 
was densely packed, and the steps, areas, roof, and windows of the 
City Hall Building were closely occupied. The roofs and windows 
of all the buildings in the neighborhood were thronged, and the boys, 
as usual, secured eligible positions in the tree tops. The attendance 
of colored people was very large, filling the space in the rear of the 
stand. There were probably from 15,000 to 20,000 present. It was 
undoubtedly the largest gathering of people ever assembled in Wash- 
ington on such an occasion. 

THE PROGRAM. 

The following was the program of the ceremonies : Prayer by Rev. 
Dr. Hamilton; music, by the Twelfth Infantry Band; dedication of 
the statue by the Masonic fraternity; music by the Marine Band; 
address by B. B. French, Esq.; music by Twelfth Infantry Band; 
unveiling of the statue by the President of the United States; music 
by the Marine Band; introduction of the artist; benediction. 

THE CEREMONIES. 

After the arrival of the procession on the ground and order had been 
restored. Mayor Wallacn presiding, Rev. Dr. William Hamilton 
offered up a fervent prayer. After the band of the Twelfth United 
States Infantry had performed The Heart Bowed Down from the 
Bohemian Girl, the dedication ceremonies followed. 

THE MASONIC DEDICATION. 

The Masonic Order proceeded to perform the dedicatory services of 
the craft, as follows : 

Grand Masteu (Benjamin B. French). Right Worshipful Junior (Jraud Warden,, 
what is the jewel of your office? 

Junior Grand Wardkn (Joseph B. Will). The plumb, Most Worshipful. 

Grand Master. Have you applied the plumb to such parts of the base of this 
pedestal as sbould be plumb? 

Junior Grand Warden (applying the plumb). I have, Most Worshipful, and the 
craftsmen have done their duty. 

Grand Master. Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden, what is the jewel of 
your office? 

Senior Grand Warden (John IT. Russell). The level, Most Worshipful. 

Grand Master. Have you applied ttie level to such parts of the base of this ped- 
estal as should be level? 

Senior Grand Warden (applying tfie level). I have, Most Worshipful, and the 
craftsmen have done their duty. 

Grand Master, liiglil \V()rshi|)ful l)c'i)uty Grand Master, you will now apply the 
proper architectural inslruiin'iit \n the base of this pedestal and see if the several 
angles thereof are duly and pmpcrly i\)rmcd. 

Deputy Grand Masteij (John Lockie) (api)lyiiig the bevel). Most Worslui)ful 
Grand Master, I have aj^pliccl tlie bevel to the several angles of the l)ase of tliis ped- 
estal and find that the craftsmen have done tlieir duty. 

Grand Master. As the imj)lemeuts of architecture, in the hands of the skilltul 
operative mason, enable liim to i)r('i)are and adjust the sundry materials of which 
the com])lcte strufture is com])ose<l, so do they, in the hands of enlightened and 
accepted spccuhitivc Masons, teach them to prei)ar(' their minds as living stones 
for tliat spirit iial building, that "house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 

(Tlie deputy gran<l master i)resi'nted the corn.) 

Grand Master. Brethren, the corn, wine, and oil. which you carry in your pro- 
cessions and which are the <'onRe(Tating elements iised on occasions like this, are to 
remind us that in the j)ilgriinage of lif<' we are to im])art a ])ortion of our bread to the 
hungry, to send a cup of our wine to cheer the sorrowful, and to pour the healing oil 



EEEEECTION OF STATUE OF LINCOLIST. 5 

of consolation into the wounds wliich sickness hath made in tlie bodies or affliction 
hath rent in the hearts of our fellow men. 

In placing the corn u])on the foundation of this statue I invoke the blessing of 
plenty on the people of this city and u])on the people of our whole country. Especially 
may they never want for that bread for which to eat is life eternal. 

(The senior grand warden presented the wine.) 

Grand Master. In pouring the wine u])on it, I do it in the fervent hope that the 
wine of joy may ever gladden the hearts of the people everywhere. 

(The junior grand warden presented the oil.) 

Grand Master. In pouring oil upon the foundation of this statue, I hope and 
pray that its healing element may spread all over the face of this land and, like oil 
upon the trouliled waters, calm the waves of discord and be conducive to that peace, 
harmony, brotherly love, and sincere affection, assuring hap})iness to all, that we 
believe "would have rejoiced the heart of the good man whose semblance it supports 
had the will of God been that he should havelived to look once more upon a united 
people. 

May the consolation of the gospel of the Prince of Peace accompany us all through 
life and illumine our pathway as we pass through the dark valley of the shadow of 
death. 

The grand master gave three raps with his gavel on the foundation 
and made the announcement: "I now pronounce this foundation 
properly prepared, well laid, true and trusty; and this statue, erected 
by the citizens of Washington to the memory of Abraham Lincoln, 
duly and fully dedicated to the American people." [Applause.] 

The Marine Band then performed the Miserere from Trovatore. . 

ADDRESS BY B. B. FRENCH, ESQ. 

B. B. French, Esq., the orator of the day, then addressed the 
assemblage, as follows: 

We have met here this day, my fellow citizens, to dedicate to the people of the 
United States here, in the ceiitralpart of their own Capital, the form and semblance 
of one who they dearly loved in life, and whose memory they can never cease to 
revere; who three years ago this day yielded up his life a martyr to his love of his 
country, his love of his fellow men, and his unshaken confidence in the affection and 
reverence for his person of all around him. 

The statue which we now inaugurate is emphatically the offering of the citizens of 
Washington to the memory of the man whose form and features it represents. 

In April, 1865, tlie councils of the city adopted a resolution unanimously appoint- 
ing a committee to consist of the mayor and three members of each board for the pur- 
pose of forming a Washington Lincoln Monument Association. That committee, in 
conformity witli the resolution, elected a large number of their most respectable 
citizens, who, with the orginal committee, formed the association, with the Hon. 
Richard Wallach, mayor, as president; C. S. Noyes, Esq., as secretary; and George W. 
Riggs, Esq., as treasurer. Subscriptions were solicited from the citizens of Washing- 
ton and a sum sufficient to secure the erection of the statue was obtained. A contract 
was entered into with Mr. Lot Flannery, of Washington, to furnish the statue, and it 
now stands before you the Avork of his hands. 

Who can ever forget that night of horror when the awful intelligence was borne by 
the telegraphic wires all through the land that Abraham Lincoln had been struck 
down by the hands of an assassin. 

Oh, night of woe, 
How arc you joined with hell in triple knot. 

And that day of grief which followed, when the me-ssenger of death weTit forth 
with the sad tidings that our good President was no longer on earth — can it be for- 
gotten? There is not one within the reach of my voice — and I think I may truly 
add, there is not one in this broad land — to whom it is not a wonder and a mystery 
how the people bore up as they did under so terri1)le, so appalling a calamity. But 
they did bear up, and although the President whom they almost adored was dead, 
the"^Nation lived. And let me say here, that I believe nothing savotlie final dis- 
ruption of "the great globe itself" can destroy this Nation. The pro-\iden(;e of God 
watches over us, sustains us through all our trials, and will preserve us as a free and 
independent people through all time. 



6 EEERECTIOX OF STATUE OF LINCOLN. 

It does not require any monument or any words to perpetuate the memory of that 
great and good and pure man. Monumental marble may crumble into dust: bronze 
may melt away, granite may perish from the earth: but the memory of Abraham 
Lincoln shall live in human bosoms and be perpetuated on the li^dng pages of his- 
tor\^ as long as any nation or people shall exist on earth. [Applause.] 

But it is a satisfaction and a pleasure, tinged svith melancholy, to look upon that 
venerated form and to view those features which, whatever else they may indicate, 
if true to the life, will glow \vith goodness, kindness, ana love, and whereon never 
rested for a moment a single characteristic other than such as gave outward proof of 
a good and lo^'ing heart, a conscience void of offense, and charity toward all mankind. 
Oh, heaven, that such a man should have died in such a time and in such a manner! 

I hardly know, my fellow citizens, where to begin on an occasion like this. Al- 
though the field is ample it has been thoroughly gleaned by the pen of the historian 
and the harvest has been garnered in the bosoms of a lo^dns: people. Still I am aware 
of j'our affection for his memon,', and that you never tire in listening to a rehearsal of 
his virtues. [Cries of "'Never."] 

Abraham Lincoln was unlike any other man. He seemed to be born to fill the 
very station he occupied for tlie last five years of his life, and the faith that was in us 
stands firm to this day that he alone could have carried the countrj^ safely through 
the awful perils that beset it while he fdled the responsible and dangerous position of 
Chief Magistrate. [Cries of "That's so."] We can say of him M-ith as much truth 
as it was said of one of the greatest and best of English statesmen, he was, indeed — 
"The pilot weathered the storm." 

Let us attempt to analyze the man. He was possessed of a heart as pure as the 
snowflake as it falls from above. Although of great simplicity of mind and manner, 
there was in that mind a penetration which seemed to read the very thoughts of 
others, and which spoke through the eye in language more powerful than could be 
uttered in words, a defiance to anyone who sought to deceive him. I have heard it 
called "shrewdness." It was more than shrewdness, and I hardly know how other- 
wise to characterize it, but in the strong language of the Apostle, as the "sword of the 
Spirit, " for as 1 have myself seen the seanhing, powerful, inqui'^itive expression of that 
remarkable eye when turned upon one whose statement the President had cause to 
doubt, it has seemed to me to pierce the buckler of deception through and through, 
and that the wearer was conscious of his discomfiture before a word was uttered. 

With a dis])osition as genial as a bright May morning, with a temjier that could hardly 
be ruffled by the most untoward circumstances, mth a soul absolutely beaming 
through the eyes, with an affection that < aptivated everyone, he was possessed of a 
firmncs.s of purpose, in his determination to do right, that could not be overcome. 

Pride of plac e was unknown to his character. To him that spark of the eternal 
whi( h gleamed in the bosom of the most humble shone as bright as if it animated the 
breast of tht; proudest and highest in the land; and the widow and the fatherless ever 
found a ready listener to the tale of distre.ss, and never left him without words of con- 
Bolation aiul ai ts which sjjoke louder than words. 

Even the language he used was as peculiar to him as was any other peculiarity of 
his nature — ter.se, pointed, plain; never wandering among the ma/.es of rhetoric after 
adornment, but simple as the man himself, and going as straight to the mark at which 
he aimed as an arrow from the bow of Tell. Solomon, in all the glory of his pnnerbs, 
might have envied him had he lived in these days of diffusive writing and still more 
diffusive speaking! 

That single sentence in his last inaugural coming up undefiled from the pure well 
of his noble heart — "\\'ith malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness 
in the right, as God gives us to see l,he right, let us strive on to finish the work we are 
in" — spoke the character of the jiian, aQ<l will live among the sayings of great and good 
men as long as human li|)s can sjjeak or types can print; and as we read it now, we 
can scarcely repress a tear as we refiect how soon after it was said the voice that said 
it was silenced forever, and tlie work that he was in was finishe<l. 

The first we know of Abraham LiTicoln as a national man is that he came into the 
IIouBC of Representatives of the United States, as a Member fmm Illinois, at the first 
session of the Thirtieth Congress on the first Monday of December, 1S47. He served 
through that Congress without any ixTrticular distinction, exce]it that he was regarded 
as an horu-st, kind hearted, genial, mirth-loving man, popular with all who knew 
him, an<l the few 8i)e(^(hes he then made indicated a man of no inconsiderable talent. 
iJut no one, as 1 think, mistrusted the hidden mine of ability which existed under 
the unjiretendin',' exterior. 

In tlie spirited canvass between him and the lamented Douglas, in 1S5S, he so 
conducted his i)art in the controversy, as to convince his eloquent and talented 
comj)etitor that he had "a foeman worthy of his steel," and the eyes of the whole 
people were turnc'l upon him as "the rising man." 



REERECTION" OF STATUE OF LIj^COLX. 7 

Wlienever the people he^in really to love a man, when he has fairly stolen away 
their hearts, they invariably bestow upon him a pet name. I believe I mav sa>' that 
the homelier the name the better the individual is beloved. So we find in the annals 
of those davs that "Honest Old Abe," as a synonym for Abraham T.incoln, be<ran to 
be a household phrase. There is probably no better indication of the loves of the peo- 
ple — the real genuine affection of the masses — for men, than in this pet nomenclature 
that they give. We can readilv call to mind "The Father of His Coimtrv," "The 
Mill Bov of the Slashes." "Old Hickory." "The Defender of the Constitution," 
"Old Zack," with his "little more grape Oapt. Brags:," "Old Ironsides," and many- 
more. But we must return to the subject of our remarks. 

In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was nominated as the Republican candidate for Presi- 
dent of the United States, and the nomination was hailed throughout the loyal portion 
of the Union with an enthusiasm that gave assurance that he was trulv the candidate 
of the friends of the Federal Government. He was triumphantly elected: and his 
election was, as we all know, the signal for the commencement of that dreadful effort 
to dissolve the Union, that ended in foiu- years of disastrous war. and the final triumph 
of the old flag, but at a terrible sacrifice of human life, and an immense expense of 
national treasure. Through this fratricidal war. Abraham Lincoln stood at the head 
of the Government, calm, cool, firm, and determined. Ever hopeful, in the darkest 
hours of the struggle, and never for a moment ceasing to place his trust in that — 

Divinity that shapes our ends, 
Rough hew them how we will. 

But the historv of those dreadful years has been so many times UTitten and is so 
familiar to you all that it would be a trespass upon vour time and patience to repeat 
it here. I shall therefore content myself by sa^ang that President Lincoln was found 
grandly equal to the great trust reposed in him and performed every duty with a 
heroic firmness which met the admiration of all his ft-iends. 

But, while I refi-ain from recapitulating to you the public history that marked the 
momentous era of his term of office, I will endeavor to interest you by relations 
touching his more priA'ate life and character, some of which, in consequence of the 
official relations which for nearly his entire occupancy of the presidential chair 
existed between us, are probably known to no other person. No week passed that 
I did not see him, and I was often with him many times a week. This, of course, 
with a man like him, led to numerous conversations between us and enabled me. 
with no particular intention of doing so, to observe the peculiar characteristics of 
Mr. Lincoln. 

I will take the liberty, however, before commencing that part of my address, to 
give you a brief account of the inauguration ceremonies of March 4, 1861, as written 
down by myself at the time, I having been honored with the chief marshalship of 
the occasion: 

"At a few minutes after 11 the procession, being formed in line in front of the 
city hall, wheeled out into column of march and moved toward Willard's. In front 
of Willard's it again formed into line and so remained until 10 minutes past 12, where 
President Buchanan, who had been detained at the Capitol bv oflicial duty, arrived. 
He, -R-ith President Lincoln, Col. Baker, and Mr. Pearce, of the Senate, then took 
their seats in an open carriage, which was received into the column of march with a 
proper salute from the military, music, and the cheering of the populace. The col- 
umn then moved toward the Capitol. No more imposing or more orderly pageant 
ever passed along Pennsylvania Avenue. At the north door of the Capitol the Presi- 
dent and President elect were received and escorted in. In a few minutes they, 
with their attendants, appeared on the platform of the eastern ])ortico, when Mr. 
Lincoln delivered his inaugural and was sworn into office. * * * 

"The inauguration ceremonies over, we escorted the new President to the White 
House, where he received all comers with that cordial welcome that so strongly marks 
the sincerity of the man. 

"In the procession was a triumphal car splendidly trimmed, ornamented, and 
arranged, in which rode 34 young girls. On our return the girls all alighted, and I 
conducted them in and introduced them to the President. He wislied to be allowed 
to kiss them all, and did so. It waa a very interesting scene and elicited much 
applause." 

The kisses bestowed by that good man on those young lips will only be forgotten 
when death has set his seal upon them. Such was the peaceful inauguration of 
Abraham Lincoln, which so many had prophesied could noAor be accomplished 
M^ithout the shedding of human blood. What I shall now say is from memoranda 
made at the time. 

In August, 1862, just before the second Battle of Bull Bun, in a conversation with 
the President, he asked me my age. I gave it to him, when he remarked, with much 



8 EEEEECTION OF STATUE OF LINCOLN. 

emphasis, "10 years older than I am, and 10 years younger." I replied that he must 
not view his own years so dispara\;int!:ly, when he repeated, "Yes, Mr. French, I am 
actually 10 years older than you are, the cares and troubles that are upon me are 
agins; me rapidly — I feel it, and you will live to see me in my coffin." This was said 
with deep solemnity, so much so that I felt sad and tried to speak cheering Words. 
Never in all my intercourse with Mr. Lincoln, except on this occasion and upon tlie 
death of his son William, did I witness any manifestation in words of despondency or 
grief. ^\lien Willie died, although he l)ore himself like a man and a Christian, his 
affections would assume their control over his sterner self at times and nature have 
her way. 

As an evidence of Mr. Lincoln's power over his feelings, I will mention that on 
arriving at the Executive Mansion on Monday evening, ]\Iarch 2, 1863, to attend the 
reception then to take place, the President informed me that he had just received the 
news of the capture of our steam ram Indianola: but, said he, "it is known to no one 
else here, and as I do not wish it known until the reception is over, please not to 
mention it." He made some further remarks as to the misfortunes that were befalling 
us. The visitors commenced arriving, and he stood there shaking hands and convers- 
ing in his usual cordial and pleasant manner until the reception was over, when he 
turned to me and said, "I am glad this reception is over: I have been assuming a 
cheerfulness that I could not feel, for I could not forget that we have lost the Indianola.'' 

That President Lincoln was beloved by every loyal heart we all know, but I can 
not refrain from copying from my own description of the dedication of the national 
cemetery at Gettysburg the following: 

"As soon as the hymn (the consecration hymn) was sung Marshal Lamon introduced 
the President of the United States, who, in a few brief but most appropriate words, 
dedicated the cemetery. Abraham Lincoln is the idol of the American people at this 
moment. Anyone who saw and heard as I did the hurricane of applause that met 
his every movement at Gettysburg would know that he lived in every heart. It was 
no cold, faint shadow of a kind reception; it was a tumultuous outpouring of exulta- 
tion from true and loving hearts at the sight of a man whom everyone knew to be 
honest and true and sincere in every act of his life and every pulsation of his heart. 
It was the spontaneous outburst of the heartfelt confidence of the people in their own 
President." 

Perhaps no living man ever had a keener relish for the ludicrous than Mr. Lincoln, 
and his power of illustration by story and anecdote was beyond that of anyone ^\^th 
whom I was ever acquainted; and such was the tendency of his mind to mirth that I 
have known him, when a grave question was propounded to him, to reply to it by 
relating some story perfectly illustrative of the answer recjuired. but of such a nature 
that no one could resist an audible exi)ression of merriment, in which he was certain 
most heartily to join, and although the surplus electricity of his nature seemed ever 
reidy to pass otf in a manner to make all around him innocently happy, he was ever 
careful to guard against injury to the feelings of any human being. And I think I 
can give you the assurance that not one in a hundred of the gross stories that are 
now imputed to him were ever oven heard of by him. 

To recall any of the illustrations that I have heard from his lips would be out of 
place here; but I can not refrain from stating one of his (juaint and humorous ])i(^ces 
of advice to me, which you will all ai)preciate. The bascnunt of the Kxecutive Man- 
sion was at one time so infested with rats as to render it almost uninhabitable. I 
called the President's attention to the fact, and he said, to me, with that inimitable 
twinitle of the eye and expression of the countenance so remarkal)le in him, "(.'an 
you not procure a ferret, one of those little fellows that drive away the rats? And 
while you are about it. perhaps it would be well to get several and distribute them 
about the departments, for there are rata everywhere." And the good President was 
80 phnised with liu; idea that he asked me afterwards if 1 had got thos(; ferrets. 

The UindiU'ss of his disposition and his readiness to indulge his children may he 
illustrated by two occurrences that fell uniier my own observation. The prepara- 
tions had alllteeii made for the family to leave the city house and establish them- 
selves for the summer at the Soldiers' "Home. The carriage was at the door and .Mfs. 
Lincoln and Tad were in it. The I'resident came out to joiti them, when Tad said, 
"1 have not got my cat." The President re])lied, "You sliall have your cat," and 
he went into the household and returned in a few miinites with Tad's cat in his arms. 

At another time when 1 was with him in his ollice, conversing on ollicial tuisiness, 
one of the servants came in and spoke to him. He at once turned to me and asked 
me to excuse him for a short time, as he must go and give Tad his medicine, which 
he woidd take from no one else. 

Such ads as these do lionor to human nature, no matter whether done by Presidents 
or peasants; everyone who lias a soul will appreciate them, and I have thought a 
thousati(l limes, as I have seen the evidences of the miinite attention given by the 
great and good Washington to the smallest matters that concerned his househoUl and 



KEEBECTIOX OF STATUE OF LINCOLX. 

his home, while leading the Armies of the United States or exercisinc the high func- 
tions of President of the infant Republic, how like in many particulars were these 
two truly great Presidents. 

Although President Lincoln was always ready to assume anv official responsibility 
that his position reqiiired, his innate sense of propriety was such that he never, know- 
ingly, encroached on the prerogatives of his subordinates, no matter what their position 
might be. A somewhat curious instance of the delicacy of the President in this 
particular occurred in November, 1864. The day after the certain information of 
Mr. Lincoln's reelection reached this city it occurred to him that the laborers at the 
Executive Mansion ought to be granted a holiday. Almost any other man, being 
President of the L^nited States and possessing the power to command, would have 
issued an order giving them a holiday. President Lincoln did no such thing, and 
what was my surprise at receiving a card from him, in his well-known hand, and 
which I now have: 

"If Commissioner of Public Buildings chooses to give laborers at White House a 
holiday I have no objections. 

"A. Lincoln. 

"November 9, 1864." 

Of course, the commissioner did choose and the holiday was given. 

The autographs of the beloved President are eagerly sought for and highly valued, 
and, as an evidence of this, I may say that 1 have seen a simple card, similar to the 
one above alluded to, on which some request was written by Mr. Lincoln, elegantly 
framed and suspended in the library of a gentleman in Massachusetts and considered 
so precious a memorial that no money can purchase it. And the last manuscript he 
ever wrote with a pen, on the evening of his assassination, is sacredly preserved, in 
like manner, in this city by the gentleman for whom it was written. 1 do not know 
how I can more appropriately close this perhaps already too long address than by 
reading an article prepared by myself for one of the city newspapers on the 23d of 
April, 1865. It is as follows: 

"On Friday morning last at 7 o'clock all that was mortal of Abraham Lincoln, the 
sixteenth President of these United States, was borne from the ('apitol, taking their 
departure for his home in Illinois, where they are to rest until the final resurrection. 

"The pa.'-^t week has been a sad one to the whole Nation. It has been particu- 
larly sad for Washington, for here the unjjarallelled atrocity that deprived a ])eople 
of a President whom they dearly loved and almost worshipped, and came near 
snatching from them a Secretary of State, particularly eminent for a head and a 
heart that gave him an exalted place in the affections of all who knew him, was com- 
mitted: and as the awful news spread al^road on the wings of the lightning it car- 
ried with it sadness to every heart that beat res{X)nsive to the great principles of 
humanity which were so strongly implanted in the bosom of our beloved Chief Mag- 
istrate. 

"At half past 10 o'clock on Friday evening, the 14th instant, the bullet of the 
assassin sped through the bi-ain of his illustrious victim, and from that instant he 
was as if he were dead, although he continued to breathe until the next morning 
at 22 minutes past 7. 

"That Friday night was an awful one for Washington. The theater where the 
horrid event occurred was fdled with people, and the appalling news spread, as it 
were, in a moment to all ])arts of the city. There was no sleep that night. The 
long roll — that startling call to all military men and to all civilians who understand 
it— was beat in the various camps within and about the city, and the troops were 
speedily under arms. 

"Ah, then and there was hurrj'ing to and fro. 

And gathering tears, and trenibUngs of distress, 
And cheeks all pale, which, but an hour ago. 
Blushed at the praise of their own loveliness. 

"And there was mounting in hot haste; the steed. 
The mu.stering squadron, and the clattering car 
Went pouring forward with impetuous speed, 
And swiftly forming in the ranks of war. 

"Many knew not for a time what it all meant, hut everyone knew that some terri- 
ble calamity was upon us; and ere long the dread reality that our President had 
been assassinated and our Secretary of State stricken down by the dagger of some 
fiend in human shape came to be known, and a cordon of troops was soon posted 
all around the city to prevent, if possible, any ogress from it and be prepared for any 
emergency that an extended conspiracy might render necessary. 

"There was a general rush of our citizens to Tenth Street, where in a dwelling 
opiwsite the theater lay the dying form of Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by his almost 



10 EEEEECTION OF STATUE OF LINCOLIsr. 

distracted wife, his weeping son, hia Cabinet ministers, generals, eminent physicians, 
and many others whose positions gained them ready admittance to the side of the 
dying President. 

"I stood at his bedside in the early hours of the mdrning, and there ■witnessed such 
a scene of solemnity and grief as I never saw before and hope never to see again — 

There was silence deep as death, 
And the boldest held his breath. 

as if it were almost sacrilege to interrupt the solemn stillness about that d\ing couch. 

"The stern Secretary of War sat with his head bowed down in grief; the good and 
kind Secretary of the Navy stood as if transfixed ■with sorrow; the ever mild and sunny 
countenances of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of the Interior, the Post- 
master General, and Attorney General were now overspread with the clouds of distress 
and mourning; Maj. Gen. Halleck, who had naturally assumed the direction of affairs, 
was quitely moving about, fixing his large and most expressive eyes on everything 
that seemed to require attention and directing in whispering tones of sadness what 
should be done. The noble form of Sumner, seated near the head of the bed, was 
bowed low, and tears were flowing from many, many eyes unused to weep. 

"Not long after sunrise, I should think (time could not well be counted, and the 
heavens were weeping in a gentle rain), at the request of some of the personal friends 
of Mrs. Lincoln, 1 went in the President's carriage after Mrs. Secretary Welles, and 
ere I could return the noble martyr had ceased breathing. I witnessed the bearing 
of the remains to the presidential mansion, saw them removed from the temporary 
coffin in which they were borne there, and from that time until they were placed in the 
car at the railroad depot, for transportation to Illinois, I was much of the time ■^vith 
them. My official duties made me almost one of the President's household, and on all 
j)ublic occasions I stood at his side or near him, and I felt as if, even had duty not de- 
manded my presence, I could not leave the inanimate form of him of whom I had seen 
80 much, and whom I loved so well in life. 

"The days of preparation passed liy: the hdng in state in the East Room, where 
thousands stood at the side of their beloved and martjTed chief and paid to his 
memory the tribute of respect with streaming eyes; the funeral services, attended by 
the nol)le assemblage of all who aided the Executive in the performance of his arduous 
duties in Washington — hundreds of the most respectable citizens of the country; the 
full diplomatic corps, whose rich dresses were in marked contrast to their sad, sad 
countenances, for they all loved Abraham Lincoln — the mourners, not only of the 
family but from his native and his adopted State ; the reverend clergy in full numbers. 
I witnesscid it all. 

'' I listened with a most melancholy l)ut proud satisfaction to the religious services, 
full of submissive piety, but also full of exalted patriotism. I saw the immense con- 
course of people, civil and military, who crowded Pennsylvania Avenue from George- 
town to tlie Capitol, as the funeral cortege passed along, marking )>y their bowed 
forms and their sighs and tears their deep grief at the loss of one whom they had looked 
upon as their father. I saw the sacred remains deposited on the catafalque in the 
center of the rotunda of the Capitol, with the semblages of grief all around it, and 
heard the pious and eloquent divine, who had l)een from the first at the side of the 
departed and liis mourning family (Dr. Gurley), repeat with great impres.siveness, 
earnestness, and devotion so much of the burial service as was appropriate, ending 
with a prayer. 

"The crowd then departed. The guard of honor, which had been ever present 
since the sad catastrophe, consisting at least of one major general and his slaff, and 
often of two, were left in charge of the body. 

"At 8 o'clock on Thursday morning the coflin was opened and the crowd admitted, 
and l)etween that time and 10 o'clock in the evening nearly -K), ()(!() persons looked in 
sorrow and in tears upon that beloved face. 

".■\t (i o'clncU a. ni. on Krichiy there were assembled in the mtunda all the Cabinet 
ministers, the conimilter' who were to a('com])any the remains, l\ev. Dr. (iurley, 
Lieut, (len. (!rant and many other high oMicersof tlie .\rmy, the police of the Capitol, 
and a few prominent citizens. Dr. Gurley aildressed with deep fervor and great 
impressiveiiess the Throne of (Jrace, and his prayer found a solemn response, I doubt 
nut, in every l)o.som. 

"The colfiji was then closed and was borne by 12 sergeants to the hearse, and being 
esf'orlefl by a battalion of the Veteraji Reserve Cori)s was followed by Lieut. Gen. 
(iraiit ajid I5rig. (len. Hardee, arm iji arm. ajid many other odicers of the .\rmy, the 
("oiimiissiojier of Public Huildings and captaiji of the Capitol ])olice, all on foot, and 
l)y the I'residenI and heads of the departments and the cominiltee iji carriages to the 
Paltimore Depot, where it was ])lace(l iji a car deeply and most ai)pro])riateiy draped 
in mourning ajid prepared for tlie occasion, wlu^re the reverend clergyman again 
offered up a j)rayer to the lather of us all; ajid at 8 o'clock the train moved off, and 



REEKECTIOIsr OF STATUE OE LINCOLN. 11 

he -whom we all loved so well and for whom we would ha^■e willingly given our own 
lives was borne in solemnity and gloom toward his final resting place in the bosom 
of the State who gave him to us." 

Unveil thy bosom, faithful tomb, 

Take this new treasure to thy trust, 
And give these sacred reUcs room 

To slumber in the silent dust. 

Thus the remains of Abraham Lincoln left us to find a resting place in the capital of 
his adopted and beloved home. It was one grand, solemn, and imposing funeral 
procession from Washington to Illinois, and I have been told by a gentleman who 
accompanied it that no dwelling was passed in all that distance, whether the palace 
of the rich or the humble cottage of the poor, that did not exhibit some outward 
badge of the grief that reigned within. 

And now, my fellow citizens, we have erected, as I believe, the first public statue 
to the memory of that President, who more than any other since Washington, lived 
and ever will live in the hearts of the loyal people. Here, where he won from all 
who knew him — and who is there who did not know him— golden opinions; here where 
in the midst of his friends, while enjoying a brief respite from the cares and peri^lexities 
of his exalted but laborious station, he was struck down in death by the hand of a 
foul and cowardly assassin, have we this day placed upon its pedestal the plain, 
unassuming, but almost speaking semblance of that plain, unassuming, but noble and 
God-like specimen of human nature. [Applause.] 

We have erected it where the earliest kiss of rosy day, as she approaches from the 
east, may fall upon it, and where the last gleam of evening's mellow light may salute 
it as the twilight darkens into night. Here it stands, as it were, in the plaza of the 
citv; and here it will stand, we hope, to be seen by generations long hence to come. 
[Cries of "It will."] 

Let the fathers of the city, in times of trouble, gather around it, and acquire inspira- 
tion by calling to mind the firmness, patience, fidelity, zeal, and nobleness of character 
of him whom it represents. Let the generations of young men gather around it, and 
recall, as their example and their guide, the Adrtue, sobriety, modesty, and uprightness 
of life and purpose of that great man. And let us all bear in mind and ever profit by 
the remembrance how Abraham Lincoln placed all his trust in God, and implored His 
blessing upon every act of his exemplary life. 

* * * God called him 

Hence to lay his armor down, 
To take his more than conqueror's wreath, 

His martyr's glorious crown. 

In the great hosts of freedom's sons, 

Our Lincoln leads the van, 
Himself the greatest, "noblest work 

Of God, an honest man." 

Arise, then, oh, my country, rise! 

Be worthy of his fame, 
Lift high the banner of the right, 

Put all its foes to shame. 

Follow where Lincoln's footsteps led — 

His spirit be your own — 
'Twill lead you on to victory; 'twill 

Lead you to God's throne! 

[Immense applause.] 

After tlie address of Maj. French the band of the Twelfth Infantry 
performed Rans I'es Vaches. 

Col. E. B. Olmstead was then introduced and recited an original 
poem, which was received with great applause. 

THE UNCOVERING OF THE STATUE. 

Prof. Heald's Band then performed an appropriate air, when Mayor 
Wallach advanced to the front of the platform with the President 
and said: 

My friends, it is hardly necessary for me to inform you what is now to take ]")lace 
or who the distinguished person is who will perform this ceremony. The anxiety 
depicted in your upturned countenances plainly tells that you are awaiting the 
unveiling of the statue. 



12 EEEEECTIOX OF STATUE OF LIXCOLX. 

The President then pulled the cord, when the covering of the statue 
fell, and vociferous cheers were given by the crowd. 

Mr. Lot Flannery, the artist, was here introduced and loudly 
cheered. 

The Marine Band then performed a prayer by Donizetti, after 
which Rev. Dr. Gillette pronounced the benediction, and the crowd 
dispersed. 

It is a peculiar fact that this was the first statue to be dedicated 
to Lincoln and it is the only one ever sculptured by an artist who 
personally knew the martyred President. 

The statue stood until the fall of 1919, when the Commission on 
Public Buildings and 'Grounds, which had charge of the remodeling 
of the courthouse and improvement of the grounds, asked permission 
to take it down. Mr. Gillen, a member of the commission, explained 
to the Appropriations Committee that "it is on a very insecure 
foundation and the pedestal proper has a very bad crack." 

In the first deficiency appropriation bill for the fiscal year 1920 
the committee included an item reading as follows: 

Public buildings and grounds: For construction of walks and service road and the 
restoration and planting of grounds around the courthouse in Judiciary Park, includ- 
ing the removal of the statue, S23,445, one-half of which shall be paid from the revenue* 
of the District of Columbia and one-half from the Treasury of the United States. 

When the deficiency bill was considered by Congress, no mention 
was made of the item providing for the removal ''of the statue," and 
the bill carried. The statue was taken down and placed in the base- 
ment of the courthouse, where it now is. 

The question of reerecting the monument was taken up shortly 
afterwards, when this bill was originally introduced. Members of 
the Grand Army of the Republic, Loyal Legion, and other patriotic 
organizations became interested and urged the reerection of the 
statue upon the original site, maintaining that its removal was a 
desecration. 

For the information of the Members of the House, the following 
letter, received from the President under date of May 2, 192 L is 
herewith quoted: 

I very recently received a call of a very notable delegation representing the Loyal 
Legion urging the reconsideration at the hands of Congress of the decision to remove 
the statue erected in memory of President JAncoln in front of the City Hall in 18G8. 

I assume that you are in possession of the history of the erection of this memorial 
to Lincoln as well as the action taken by Congress directing its removal. I am in- 
closing, however, with this letter co])ie8 of the pai)ers left with me by the representa- 
tives of the Loyal Legion. It is such a fascinating story and there seems to be so much 
of appealing sentiment a])Out the restoration of this statue to its original position that 
I think Congress might well ex])edite the reconsideration of the action previouBly 
taken so that this memorial may be restored to the place it so long occuiiied. 

I cordially believe the sentiment is one that we ought to sanction and 1 am glad to 
express the hoi)e that Congress will take favorable action in ])roviding for the restora- 
tion. If there are any serious ol)st;ules in the way I shall l)e gratefxd if you will 
inform me .so that 1 may be helpful in any way ])ossible in aiding to solve the situation. 

The ('ommittee on the Library, in view of the sentimental interest 
attached to the statue and the great desire to have it reerectedj 
recommends Ihnt this resolution do pass. 

o 



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